Supported transition metal sulfide promoted molybdenum or tungsten sulfide catalysts and their uses for hydroprocessing

ABSTRACT

Hydrocarbon feeds are upgraded by contacting a feed, at elevated temperature and in the presence of hydrogen, with a supported self-promoted catalyst prepared by heating a composite of support material and one or more catalyst precursor salts under oxygen-free conditions and in the presence of sulfur at a temperature of at least about 250° C. The precursor salt or salts will be of the general formula (ML)(Mo y  W 1-y  S 4 ) wherein M comprises one or more promoter metals selected from the group consisting essentially of Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Zn and mixtures thereof, wherein y is any value ranging from 0 to 1 and wherein L is one or more neutral, nitrogen-containing ligands at least one of which is a chelating, polydentate ligand.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to a process for preparing supported, transition metal sulfide promoted molybdenum and tungsten sulfide catalysts, the supported catalyst species prepared by such process, and to the use of such supported species for hydroprocessing processes, particularly hydrotreating. More particularly, this invention relates to the preparation and use of catalysts useful for hydroprocessing processes, such as hydrotreating, wherein said catalysts are formed by heating, at elevated temperature, in the presence of sulfur and under oxygen-free conditions, a composite of support material and one or more catalyst precursor salts containing a thiometallate anion of Mo, W or mixture thereof and a cation comprising one or more divalent promoter metals which are chelated by at least one neutral, nitrogen-containing polydentate ligand, said divalent promoter metal being selected from the group consisting of Ni, Co, Zn, Cu and mixture thereof.

2. Background of the Disclosure

The petroleum industry is increasingly turning to coal, tar sands, heavy crudes and resids as sources for future feedstocks. Feedstocks derived from these heavy materials contain more sulfur and nitrogen than feedstocks derived from more conventional crude oils. Such feedstocks are commonly referred to as being dirty feeds. These feeds therefore require a considerable amount of upgrading in order to obtain usable products therefrom, such upgrading or refining generally being accomplished by hydrotreating processes which are wellknown in the petroleum industry.

These processes require the treating with hydrogen of various hydrocarbon fractions, or whole heavy feeds, or feedstocks, in the presence of hydrotreating catalysts to effect conversion of at least a portion of the feeds, or feedstocks to lower molecular weight hydrocarbons, or to effect the removal of unwanted components, or compounds, or their conversion to innocuous or less undesirable compounds. Hydrotreating may be applied to a variety of feedstocks, e.g., solvents, light, middle, or heavy distillate feeds and residual feeds, or fuels. In hydrotreating relatively light feeds, the feeds are treated with hydrogen, often to improve odor, color, stability, combustion characteristics, and the like. Unsaturated hydrocarbons are hydrogenated, and saturated. Sulfur and nitrogen are removed in such treatments. In the treatment of catalytic cracking feedstocks, the cracking quality of the feedstock is improved by the hydrotreating. Carbon yield is reduced, and gasoline yield is generally increased. In the hydrodesulfurization of heavier feedstocks, or residua, the sulfur compounds are hydrotreating and cracked. Carbon-sulfur bonds are broken, and the sulfur for the most part is converted to hydrogen sulfide which is removed as a gas from the process. hydrodenitrogenation, to some degree also generally accompanies hydrodesulfurization reactions. In the Hydrodenitrogenation of heavier feedstocks, or residua, the nitrogen compounds are hydrogenated and cracked. Carbon-nitrogen bonds are broken, and the nitrogen is converted to ammonia and evolved from the process. Hydrodesulfurization, to some degree also generally accompanies hydrodenitrogenation reactions. In the hydrodesulfurization of relatively heavy feedstocks, emphasis is on the removal of sulfur from the feedstock. In the hydrodenitrogenation of relatively heavy feedstock emphasis is on the removal of nitrogen from the feedstock. Albeit, although hydrodesulfurization and hydrodenitrogenation reactions generally occur together, it is usually far more difficult to achieve effective hydrodenitrogenation of feedstocks than hydrodesulfurization of feedstocks.

Catalysts most commonly used for these hydrotreating reactions include materials such as cobalt molybdate on alumina, nickel on alumina, cobalt molybdate promoted with nickel, nickel tungstate, etc. Also, it is well-known to those skilled in the art to use certain transition metal sulfides such as cobalt and molybdenum sulfides and mixtures thereof to upgrade oils containing sulfur and nitrogen compounds by catalytically removing such compounds in the presence of hydrogen, which processes are collectively known as hydrotreating or hydrorefining processes, it being understood that hydrorefining also includes some hydrogenation of aromatic and unsaturated aliphatic hydrocarbons. Thus, U.S. Pat. No. 2,914,462 discloses the use of molybdenum sulfide for hydrodesulfurizing gas oil and U.S. Pat. No. 3,148,135 discloses the use of molybdenum sulfide for hydrorefining sulfur and nitrogen-containing hydrocarbon oils. U.S. Pat. No. 2,715,603, discloses the use of molybdenum sulfide as a catalyst for the hydrogenation of heavy oils, while U.S. Pat. No. 3,074,783 discloses the use of molybdenum sulfides for producing sulfur-free hydrogen and carbon dioxide, wherein the molybdenum sulfide converts carbonyl sulfide to hydrogen sulfide. Molybdenum and tungsten sulfides have other uses as catalysts, including hydrogenation, methanation, water gas shift, etc. reactions.

In general, with molybdenum and other transition metal sulfide catalysts as well as with other types of catalysts, higher catalyst surface areas generally result in more active catalysts than similar catalysts with lower surface areas. Thus, those skilled in the art are constantly trying to achieve catalysts that have higher surface areas. More recently, it has been disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,243,553, and 4,243,554 that molybdenum sulfide catalysts of relatively high surface area may be obtained by thermally decomposing selected thiomolybdate salts at temperatures ranging from 300°-800° C. in the presence of essentially inert, oxygen-free atmospheres. Suitable atmospheres are disclosed as consisting of argon, a vacuum, nitrogen and hydrogen. In U.S. Pat. No. 4,243,554 an ammonium thiomolybdate salt is decomposed at a rate in excess of 15° C. per minute, whereas in U.S. Pat. No. 4,243,553, a substituted ammonium thiomolybdate salt is thermally decomposed at a very slow heating rate of from about 0.5° to 2° C./min. The processes disclosed in these patents are claimed to produce molybdenum disulfide catalysts having superior properties for water gas shift and methanation reactions and for catalyzed hydrogenation or hydrotreating reactions.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a process for the preparation of supported self-promoted molybdenum and tungsten sulfide catalysts, the catalyst species prepared by such process and to the use of such supported species for hydroprocessing processes, particularly hydrotreating. More particularly, this invention relates to the preparation and use of supported catalysts useful for hydroprocessing processes such as hydrotreating wherein said catalysts are formed by heating, at elevated temperature, in the presence of sulfur and under oxygen-free conditions, a composite of support material and one or more precursor salts containing a thiometallate anion of Mo, W or mixture thereof and a cation comprising one or more promoter metals which are chelated by at least one neutral, nitrogen-containing polydentate ligand, wherein said promoter metal is selected from the group consisting of Ni, Co, Zn, Cu and mixture thereof. With the possible exception of Co which can be either divalent or trivalent, the chelated promoter metal in the cation will be in the divalent state. However, for all practical purposes, all of the promoter metals in the precursor salt, including Co, will be in the divalent state.

These precursor salts are of the formula (ML)(Mo_(y) W_(1-y) S₄) wherein M is one or more divalent promoter metals selected from the group consisting of Ni, Co, Zn, Cu and mixtures thereof, wherein y is any value ranging from 0 to 1, and wherein L is one or more, neutral, nitrogen-containing ligands at least one of which is a chelating polydentate ligand. In a preferred embodiment M will be selected from the group consisting of Co, Ni and mixtures thereof. In a particularly preferred embodiment ligand L will have a denticity of six and will be either three bidentate or two tridentate chelating ligands.

Hydroprocessing processes is meant to include any process that is carried out in the presence of hydrogen including, but not limited to, hydrocracking, hydrodenitrogenation, hydrodesulfurization, hydrogenation of aromatic and unsaturated hydrocarbons, methanation, water gas shift, etc. These reactions include hydrotreating and hydrorefining reactions, the difference generally being thought of as more of a difference in degree than in kind, with hydrotreating conditions being more severe than hydrorefining conditions. Some of the catalysts of this invention have been found to have hydrotreating or hydrorefining activities substantially greater than those of catalysts derived from conventional hydrotreating catalyst precursors such as cobalt molbydate on alumina, even though their surface areas are not as high.

Thus, in the context of this invention, hydroprocessing processes comprises contacting a hydrocarbon feed, at elevated temperature and in the presence of hydrogen, with a supported, self-promoted catalyst obtained by heating a composite of support material and one or more catalyst precursor salts of the formula (ML)(Mo_(y) W_(1-y) S₄) in a non-oxidizing atmosphere in the presence of sulfur at a temperature of at least about 150° C. for a time sufficient to form said catalyst, wherein M is one or more divalent promoter metals selected from the group consisting essentially of Co, Ni, Cu, Zn and mixtures thereof.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The precise nature and composition of the catalyst species that is formed as a result of heating a composite of support material and one or more precursor salts in the presence of sulfur and under oxygen-free conditions is not known. However, the supported catalyst species of this invention are believed to be related to the bulk, unsupported catalyst species defined in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 687,535 jointly filed by A. J. Jacobson, R. R. Chianelli and T. A. Pecoraro on even date herewith. Thus, the unsupported catalyst species of Jacobson et al. are formed by heating one or more of the precursor salts disclosed in this application in the presence of sulfur and under oxygen-free conditions.

In one method of preparing the supported catalyst species of this invention, a slurry of precursor material is incorporated with a pre-selected quantity of refractory inorganic oxide support material, preferably a particulate mass of said support, with the resulting composite then dried and the dried, particulate, composite then heated in an oxygen-free atmosphere in the presence of sulfur or sulfur-bearing compound at elevated temperature to form the catalyst species of this invention. A sufficient amount of the precursor salt or salts is composited with the support so that prior to, or at the time that the composite of support and precursor material is heated in the presence of sulfur and under oxygen-free conditions, generally from about 5 weight percent to about 50 weight percent of the salt, expressed as weight of MoO₃ or WO₃ on an ignition loss free basis, will be present on the support. The supported catalyst species of this invention are highly active and selective as hydrotreating catalysts.

As previously stated, the supported catalysts of this invention may be prepared from a composite of inorganic refractory metal oxide support material and one or more precursor salts. The catalyst precursor salt will have the formula (ML)(Mo_(y) W_(1-y) S₄) wherein M is one or more divalent promoter metals selected from the group consisting of Ni, Co, Zn, Cu and mixtures thereof. Preferably M will be selected from the group consisting of (a) divalent Ni, Co and mixtures thereof and (b) mixtures of (a) with divalent Zn, Cu and mixtures thereof. Still more preferably M will be selected from the group consisting of divalent Ni, Co and mixtures thereof. Thus, the divalent promoter metal may be a single metal such as Ni in which case the precursor would have the formula (NiL)(Mo_(y) W_(1-y) S₄). Alternatively the promoter metal may be a mixture of two, three or even four promoter metals. For the case of two promotor metals, such as Ni and Co, the precursor would have the formula [(Ni_(a) Co_(1-a))L](Mo_(y) W_(1-y) S₄) wherein 0<a<1. In the case of three promoter metals such as Ni, Co and Zn, the precursor would have the formula of the form [(Ni_(a) Co_(b) Zn_(c))L](Mo_(y) W_(1-y) S₄) wherein 0<a,b or c<1 and a+b+c= 1. Where there are four metals such as Cu, Ni, Co and Zn, the precursor will have the formula [(Cu_(a) Ni_(b) Co_(c) Zn_(d))L](Mo_(y) W_(1-y) S₄) wherein 0<a,b,c, or d<1 and a+b+c+d=1. The precursor may be a self promoted thiomolybdate, thiotungstate or combination thereof. If it is only a thiomolybdate it is obvious that y will have a value of 1. Alternatively, if the precursor is a thiotungstate y will be zero.

The ligand L, will generally have a denticity of six and will be one or more neutral, nitrogen containing ligands wherein at least one of said ligands is a multidentate chelating ligand which chelates the promoter metal cation to form a chelated promoter metal [ML]²⁺. Thus, the catalytic metal sulfide anion (Mo_(y) W_(1-y) S₄)²⁻ will be ionically bound to the chelated promoter metal cation [ML]²⁺. By neutral is meant that the ligand itself does not have a charge.

If desired, more molybdenum and/or tungsten sulfide may be incorporated into the catalyst composition than is permitted by the stoichiometric amount present in the (ML)(Mo_(y) W_(1-y) S₄) precursor salt, by mixing said precursor salt with one or more thiometallate salts of the general formula (L')(Mo_(y) W_(1-y) S₄). In the formula (L')(Mo_(y) W_(1-y) S₄), L' is the conjugate acid of one or more ligands, L, with a charge sufficient to balance the dinegative charge of the thiometallate anion. In its conjugate acid form the ligand forms a cation [L']²⁺ which is ionically bound to the thiometallate anion. For example, if L is ethylenediamine (en), L' will be [H₂ en] and the corresponding thiomolybdate salt, for example, will be [H₂ en](MoS₄). For diethylene triamine, (dien), the corresponding salt will be [H₂ dien](MoS₄). These salts, (L')(Mo_(y) W_(1-y) S₄) may be prepared, for example, by dissolving ammonium thiometallate in excess of ligand or ligands L. The salt may then be recovered by addition of water or some other suitable antisolvent such as methanol or acetone.

Those skilled in the art know that the term "ligand" is used to designate functional coordinating groups which have one or more pairs of electrons available for the formation of coordinate bonds. Ligands that can form more than one bond with a metal ion are called polydentate while ligands that can form only one bond with a metal ion are called monodentate. Monodentate ligands are not capable of forming chelates. Hence, if one uses one or more species of monodentate ligands in the precursor molecule, then one must also use at least one polydentate chelating ligand. Preferably L will be one or more polydentate chelating ligands. The denticity of the ligand L will generally be six, because the promoter metal cations prefer six-fold coordination. Hence, if more than one species of ligand is employed in the precursor molecule, the denticity of the ligand species will usually add up to six. It should be understood that it is possible for ligand L to have a total denticity of less than six, but in most cases L will have a total denticity of six. Thus, L will be three bidentate ligands, two tridentate ligands, a mixture of a bidentate and a quadridentate ligand, a hexadentate ligand or a mixture of a polydentate ligand with monodentate ligands as long as the combination has a total denticity of six. As has heretofore been stated, it is preferred to use chelating bidentate and tridentate ligands. In general, the ligands useful in this invention include alkyl and aryl amines and nitrogen heterocycles. Illustrative but non-limiting examples of ligands useful in the catalyst precursors of this invention are set forth below.

Monodentate ligands will include NH₃ as well as alkyl and aryl amines such as ethyl amine, dimethyl amine, pyridine, etc. Useful chelating bidentate amine ligands are illustrated by ethylenediamine, 2,2'-bipyridine, o-phenylene diamine, tetramethylethylenediamine and propane-1,3 diamine. Similarly, useful chelating tridentate amine ligands are represented by terpyridine and diethylenetriamine while triethylenetetramine is illustrative of a useful chelating quadridentate amine ligands. Useful chelating pentadentate ligands include tetraethylenepentamine while sepulchrate (an octazacryptate) illustrative of a suitable chelating hexadentate ligand. However, as a practical matter it will be preferred to use chelating, polydentate alkyl amines for L. Illustrative, but not limiting examples of alkyl amines that are useful in the catalyst precursor of this invention include ethylenediamine, diethylenetriamine, and tetraethylenetetramine. It is particularly preferred to use bidentate and tridentate alkyl amines such as ethylenediamine, (en) and diethyleneriamine, (dien).

Many of the precursor salts useful in forming the catalysts of this invention and methods for preparing them are known in the art, although it has not heretofore been known that such salts can be useful catalyst precursors. An article by Diemann and Mueller titled Thio and Seleno Compounds of the Transition Metals With d° Configuration published in COORD. CHEM. REV. 10: 79-122 provides a review of known salts. In general, the precursor salts useful for forming the catalysts of this invention may be prepared by mixing an aqueous solution of ammonium thiomolybdate and/or thiotungstate with an aqueous solution of the chelated promoter metal cation [ML]²⁺ which results in the formation of the precursor salt as a precipitate which is readily recovered. The chelating promoter cation is easily formed by, for example, mixing an aqueous solution of one or more water soluble promoter metal salts with the ligand or mixture of ligands. The water soluble salt may be any water soluble salt that is convenient to use such as a halide, sulfate, perchlorate, acetate, nitrate, etc. Alternatively, an aqueous solution of ammonium thiomolybdate and/or tungstate may be mixed with the ligand with the resulting solution mixed with an aqueous solution of promoter metal salt or the salt can be added to the ligand and dissolved into the solution of thiomolybdate and/or thiotungstate.

Any step of the precursor salt preparation may be done in the presence of a slurry of support material, in which case the precursor salt will be formed or precipitated onto the surface of the support material. Alternatively, the precursor salt or salts may be prepared and then composited with support material to form the catalyst precursor composite. The catalyst precursor preparation will be further understood by reference to the Examples, infra. However, it should be understood that the catalyst precursor preparation is not intended to be limited to aqueous media.

The catalysts of this invention may be prepared by heating a composite of support material and one or more catalyst precursor salts, in the presence of sulfur in an oxygen-free atmosphere or environment, at a temperature of at least about 150° C., preferably at least about 200° C. for a time sufficient to form the catalyst. The sulfur required during the formation of the catalyst may be that which is present in the precursor salt in which case the expression "in the presence of sulfur" means that sulfur is present in the precursor salt. Thus, it has been found that catalyst compositions of this invention will be formed if no excess sulfur is present and if the oxygen-free atmosphere is relatively inert, such as nitrogen. In some cases, however, it is preferred that the sulfur will be present in an amount in excess of that contained in the precursor salt. In those cases where it is preferred that the catalyst be formed by heating the precursor in the presence of excess sulfur, it is also preferred that the excess sulfur be present in the form of a sulfur bearing compound which can be one or more solids, liquids, gases or mixtures thereof. Mixtures of hydrogen and H₂ S have been found to be particularly suitable. Typically the temperature will range between from about 200°-600° C., preferably from about 250°-600° C., more preferably from about 250°-500° C. and still more preferably from about 300°-400° C. The non-oxidizing atmosphere may be gaseous, liquid or mixture thereof.

As discussed under Background of the Disclosure, molybdenum and tungsten sulfide cataysts have many uses, including hydrotreating. Hydrotreating conditions vary considerably depending on the nature of the hydrocarbon being hydrogenated, the nature of the impurities or contaminants to be reacted or removed, and, inter alia, the extent of conversion desired, if any. In general however, the following are typical conditions for hydrotreating a naphtha boiling within a range of from about 25° C. to about 210° C., a diesel fuel boiling within a range of from about 170° C. to 350° C., a heavy gas oil boiling within a range of from about 325° C. to about 475° C., a lube oil feed boiling within a range of from about 290° to 550° C. or a residuum containing from about 10 percent to about 50 percent of a material boiling above about 575° C.

    ______________________________________                                                                     Space  Hydrogen                                                      Pressure  Velocity                                                                              Gas Rate                                    Feed    Temp., °C.                                                                        psig      V/V/Hr SCF/B                                       ______________________________________                                         Naphtha 100-370   150-800    0.5-10                                                                               100-2000                                    Diesel  200-400   250-1500  0.5-6  500-6000                                    Fuel                                                                           Heavy   260-430   250-2500  0.3-4  1000-6000                                   Gas Oil                                                                        Lube Oil                                                                               200-450   100-3000  0.2-5    100-10,000                                Residuum                                                                               340-450   1000-5000 0.1-2   2000-10,000                                ______________________________________                                    

It should be noted that the compositions of this invention are useful catalysts for lube oil refinery processes where it is desirable to remove oxidation initiating nitrogen compounds from lube oil feeds.

The invention will be further understood by reference to the following examples.

EXAMPLES Catalyst Precursor Preparation

A nickel ethylenediamine thiomolybdate Ni(en)₃ MoS₄ catalyst precursor was prepared by dissolving ammonium thiomolybdate into ethylenediamine (en) and cooling the resulting dark red solution to 0° C. in an ice bath. An aqueous solution of nickel chloride was slowly added, in aliquots, to the dark red solution, with agitation after the addition of each aliquot. An orange precipitate was formed and recovered by vacuum filtration. This precipitate was Ni(en)₃ MoS₄ and was washed with distilled water and ethanol and then dried in a vacuum oven at 50° C. for three hours. More specifically, 5.4 gm of (NH₄)₂ MoS₄ was added to 25 ml of ethylenediamine (en) in a 250 ml Erlenmeyer flask. Distilled H₂ O was used twice to wash off any solid or solution remaining on the sides of the flask. The resulting dark red solution was cooled to 0° C. in an ice bath and kept in the bath for the duration of the preparation. In a separate flask 5 gm of NiCl₂.6H₂ O were dissolved into 20 ml of distilled H₂ O. This Ni²⁺ solution was added slowly, in aliquots, to the (NH₄)₂ MoS₄ /en aqueous solution with agitation after each addition. An orange ppt. formed immediately. Distilled H₂ O was added to increase the volume of the reaction mixture. This mixture was allowed to stand in the ice bath for at least 5 min. after the reaction was completed. The ppt. was separated out by vacuum filtration through a Buchner funnel. The product, Ni(en)₃ MoS₄, was washed with distilled H₂ O, then with ethanol, and dried under vacuum for 16-24 hrs. 9.4 gm of Ni(en)₃ MoS₄ were recovered.

This same procedure was used for the preparation of Co(en)₃ MoS₄ and precursors containing other promoter metals, except that an appropriate amount of CoCl₂.6H₂ O or the chloride of the particular promoter metal was used instead of NiCl₂.6H₂ O. Similarly, when mixtures of promoter metals were used, their chloride salts were used to make the precursor.

In all cases the resulting catalyst precursor powder was screened, pelletized and sized to 20/40 mesh (Tyler).

EXAMPLES 1-3

In these examples a number of different catalysts were prepared by heating a number of different, promoted precursors such as nickel trisethylenediamine thiomolybdate Ni(en)₃ MoS₄, in a mixture of H₂ /H₂ S (15% H₂ S) at 375° C. for two hours. A catalyst formed by heating ammonium thiomolybdate (NH₄)₂ MoS₄ [prepared by the method of S. J. Tauster et al. described in J. of Cat. 63, 515 (1980)] in the H₂ /H₂ S mixture was used as a control. The resulting black solids were pressed into pellets under 15,000-20,000 psi and then meshed through 10/20 mesh or 20/40 mesh sieves. One gram of this meshed catalyst was mixed with 10 g of 1/16-in. spheroid porcelain beads and placed in the catalyst basket of a Carberry-type autoclave reactor. The remainder of the basket was filled with more beads. The reactor was designed to allow a constant flow of hydrogen through the feed and to permit liquid sampling during operation.

After the catalyst and beads were charged to the reactor, the reactor system was flushed with helium for about 30 minutes after which hydrogen flow through the reactor was initiated at a rate of 100 STD cc/min. After the hydrogen began flowing through the reactor, the reactor was charged with 100 cc of a feed comprising a DBT/decalin mixture which was prepared by dissolving 4.4 g of dibenzothiophene (DBT) in 100 cc of hot decalin. The solution thus contained about 5 wt.% DBT or 0.8 wt.% S. The hot feed solution was filtered and 1 cc of decane was added.

After the feed was charged to the reactor, the hydrogen pressure was increased to about 450 psig and the temperature in the reactor raised from room temperature to about 350° C. over a period of about 1/2 hour. The hydrogen flow rate through the reactor was maintained at about 100 STD cc per minute. When the desired temperature and pressure were reached, a GC sample of liquid was taken and additional samples taken at one hour intervals thereafter. The liquid samples from the reactor were analyzed using a Gas Chromatograph.

As the reaction progressed, samples of liquid were withdrawn once an hour and analyzed by gas chromatography in order to determine the activity of the catalyst towards hydrodesulfurization. The hydrodesulfurization activity was determined according to the following model reaction: ##STR1## The hydrodesulfurization activity or zero order rate constant, k, for the nickel promoted catalyst was found to be 137×10¹⁶ molecules of DBT desulfurized per gram of catalyst per second. This activity was determined at a DBT conversion level ≦50%. The results are summarized in Table I.

The above experiment was repeated with cobalt and zinc trisethylenediamine thiomolybdate catalyst precursors, the results of which are also summarized in Table I.

These results show that cobalt and nickel had the greatest HDS activity of the promoted MoS₂ catalysts. These results also show that HDS activity does not correlate with catalyst surface area.

                  TABLE I                                                          ______________________________________                                         HDS Activity in DBT/Decalin at 350° C.                                                    HDS rate constant                                                                             BET Catalyst                                  Example                                                                               Catalyst   k, per gm. of catalyst                                                                        Surface                                       No.    Precursor  per sec. × 10.sup.16                                                                    area, m.sup.2 /gm                             ______________________________________                                         Control                                                                               (NH.sub.4).sub.2 MoS.sub.4                                                                36             108                                           1      Ni(en).sub.3 MoS.sub.4                                                                    137            18                                            2      Zn(en).sub.3 MoS.sub.4                                                                    17             13                                            3      Co(en).sub.3 MoS.sub.4                                                                    109            19                                            ______________________________________                                    

EXAMPLES 4-7

This experiment was similar to that of Examples 1-3, except that the catalyst precursor in all cases was nickel trisethylenediamine thiomolybdate which was decomposed at various temperatures for a period of two hours in an H₂ /15% H₂ S mixture to produce the nickel promoted molybdenum sulfide catalysts. The data in Table 2 show the effect of a formation temperature for the catalyst HDS activity in the DBT/Decalin feed under the specific reaction conditions.

                  TABLE 2                                                          ______________________________________                                         Effect of Temp. on HDS Activity for                                            Catalyst formed from Ni(en).sub.3 MoS.sub.4                                               Formation    HDS rate                                               Example    Temperature, °C.                                                                     constant, k × 10.sup.16                          ______________________________________                                         4          275          141                                                    5          325          153                                                    6          375          107                                                    7          425           73                                                    ______________________________________                                    

EXAMPLES 8 AND 9

This experiment was also similar to that of Examples 1-3, using a nickel trisethylenediamine thiomolybdate catalyst precursor, except that the catalyst was formed by heating the precursor in either hydrogen or DBT/Decalin and not in the H₂ /H₂ S mixture. The data are contained in Table 3 and data show that the catalyst was formed in hydrogen or in a sulfur-containing hydrogen.

                  TABLE 3                                                          ______________________________________                                         Effect of Formation Atmosphere                                                             Formation  HDS rate                                                Example     Atmosphere constant, k × 10.sup.16                           ______________________________________                                         8           H.sub.2    78                                                      9           DBT/Decalin                                                                               95                                                      ______________________________________                                    

EXAMPLES 10-15

This experiment was similar to that of Examples 1-3, except that the catalyst precursor was Ni_(x) Zn_(1-x) (en)₃ MoS₄. The results are listed in Table 4 and show that one can substantially reduce the amount of nickel without a corresponding reduction in HDS activity.

                  TABLE 4                                                          ______________________________________                                         Effect of Two Promoter Metals                                                          Nickel and Zinc                                                                               HDS Rate                                                        Content of     Constant, BET Surface                                   Example #                                                                              Catalyst Precursor                                                                            k × 10.sup.16                                                                      area, M.sup.2 /gm                             ______________________________________                                         10      Ni.sub.0.05 Zn.sub.0.95                                                                       27        31                                            11      Ni.sub.0.10 Zn.sub.0.90                                                                       81        25                                            12      Ni.sub.0.20 Zn.sub.0.80                                                                       83        62                                            13      Ni.sub.0.30 Zn.sub.0.70                                                                       117       32                                            14      Ni.sub.0.40 Zn.sub.0.60                                                                       104       36                                            15      Ni.sub.0.70 Zn.sub.0.30                                                                       87        22                                            ______________________________________                                    

EXAMPLES 16-19

These experiments were similar to those in Examples 1-3 and demonstrate the requirement of using a chelating nitrogen containing neutral ligand to complex the promoter metal cation to form the catalysts of this invention. In this experiment, the Ni(NH₃)₆ MoS₄ was prepared by adding an aqueous solution of Ni(NH₃)₆ Cl₂ to an aqueous solution of (NH₄)₂ MoS₄. The others were prepared by adding an aqueous solution of the promoter metal chloride to an aqueous (NH₄)₂ MoS₄ solution. In all cases a precursor precipitate was formed and treated as in Examples 1-3. Comparing the results of this experiment which are set forth in Table 5 with those in Table 1 show a significant difference in HDS activity, particularly with the nickel and cobalt promoted catalysts, between the catalysts of this invention and MoS₄ catalysts promoted by conventional means. It is also significant to note that the ppt. Co/MoS₄ catalyst has a surface area of over three times that of the catalyst made from Co(en)₃ MoS₄ and its HDS activity is less than one third of the cobalt promoted catalyst of this invention.

                  TABLE 5                                                          ______________________________________                                         Organic Amine in Necessary for High Activity                                                       HDS Rate                                                                       Constant  BET Surface Area                                 Example Precursor   k × 10.sup.16                                                                      M.sup.2 /gm                                      ______________________________________                                         16      Ni(NH.sub.3).sub.6 MoS.sub.4                                                               32        16.4                                             17      ppt Ni/MoS.sub.4                                                                           27        14.8                                             18      ppt Co/MoS.sub.4                                                                           34        68.8                                             19      ppt Zn/MoS.sub.4                                                                           14        --                                               ______________________________________                                    

EXAMPLES 20-24 Catalyst Preparation

The catalyst precursors were prepared as per Examples 1-3. For these experiments the catalyst precursors were pelletized using a 4% aqueous solution of polyvinyl alcohol and were placed into a stainless steel reactor at 100° C. at atmospheric pressures where they were purged for one hour under nitrogen. Ten percent of hydrogen sulfide in hydrogen was introduced into the reactor at a space velocity of 0.75 SCF/hr for each 10 cc of catalyst in the reactor. The temperature in the reactor was then raised to 325° C. and kept at this temperature for three hours to form the catalyst after which the temperature in the reactor was lowered to 100° C., the H₂ S/H₂ gas flow was stopped and the reactor was purged with nitrogen until room temperature was reached.

Reaction Conditions

The catalysts were loaded into a fixed-bed, stainless steel reactor. The conditions in the reactor were as set forth below:

    ______________________________________                                         Temperature        325° C.                                              Pressure           3.15 MPa                                                    Hydrogen rate      3000 SCF/bbl                                                LHSV               1.5-6.0 V/V/Hr.                                             ______________________________________                                    

The liquid product was analyzed for total sulfur by X-ray fluorescence and for nitrogen by combustion analysis. The feedstock used was a light catalytic cycle oil (LCCO) that was about 20 wt.% paraffinic having properties set forth in Table 6.

In all of these experiments, the results obtained from the catalysts of this invention were compared to results obtained from a commercial hydro-treating catalyst comprising cobalt molybdate on γ-Al₂ O₃ and nickel molybdate on γ-alumina. The cobalt molybdate catalyst contained 12.5 percent molybdenum oxide and 3.5 percent cobalt oxide supported on the gamma alumina and the nickel molybdate contained 18% molybdenum oxide and 3.5% nickel oxide on gamma alumina. These commercial catalysts were sulfided employing the same procedure used to form the catalysts of this invention, except that the temperature was 360° C. for one hour.

Experimental Runs

In these experiments, a number of runs were made using the self-promoted catalysts of this invention and the LCCO feed comparing them to the commercial catalyst. The results are set forth in Tables 7 and 8. The difference between Tables 7 and 8 is that in Table 7 the HDS rate constant, K_(HDS), is a 1.5th order rate constant and in Table 8, the HDS rate constant is second order. The activities of the various catalysts were determined by varying the space velocity (LHSV) in order to determine the HDS reaction rate constant (K_(HDS)). The results of these experiments showed that for some catalysts the HDS rate constant was second order while for others it was 1.5 order. The HDS rate constant K_(HDS) was calculated using a least squares method passing through the origin on a plot of ##EQU1## as the ordinate and reciprocal of the space velocity as the abscissa, according to the following equation: ##EQU2## wherein S_(f) and S_(p) are the wt.% of sulfur in the feed and product, respectively and wherein n is the order of the HDS reaction (n=2 for second order and 1.5 for 1.5th order).

Similarly, the HDN rate constant, K_(HDN), which is a first order rate constant for all the catalysts, was also plotted using a least squares method passing through the origin on a semi-logarithmic plot of N_(f) /N_(p) as the logarithmic ordinate and reciprocal of the space velocity as the abscissa, according to the following equation: ##EQU3## wherein N_(f) and N_(p) are the wt.% of nitrogen in the feed and product, respectively.

The results are set forth in Tables 7 and 8. It should be noted that a 1.5th order of kinetics was used for the correlation (correlation coefficient of 0.963) of the HDS data obtained from the commercial catalyst in Table 7 in order to obtain a convenient basis for comparison, even though a second order kinetics fit the data slightly better (correlation coefficient=0.975). This treatment does not affect in any way the relative activity ranking for the catalysts set forth in Table 7. All it does is to give a somewhat more conservative comparison between the commercial catalysts and the catalysts useful in the process of this invention.

                  TABLE 6                                                          ______________________________________                                         LCCO Feed                                                                      Gravity (°API)                                                                          18.6                                                           Sulfur, wt. %   1.5                                                            Nitrogen, ppm   370                                                            GC Distillation                                                                Wt. %           Temp., °C.                                              ______________________________________                                          5              231                                                            10              251                                                            50              293                                                            70              321                                                            90              352                                                            95              364                                                            ______________________________________                                    

                  TABLE 7                                                          ______________________________________                                         HDN and HDS Activities of Catalysts                                                                                  HDN                                                                            Selecti-                                 Example Commercial Catalyst                                                                           K.sub.HDN                                                                               K.sub.HDS                                                                            vity*                                    ______________________________________                                         Control Cobalt molybdate on                                                                           0.6       6.8  11.22                                            γ-Al.sub.2 O.sub.3                                               Control Nickel molybdate on                                                                           1.3       6.24 27.82                                            γ-Al.sub.2 O.sub.3                                                       Catalyst Precursor                                                     20      Co(en).sub.3 MoS.sub.4                                                                        4.1      12.1  34.0                                     21      Ni(en).sub.3 MoS.sub.4                                                                        6.7      11.4  58.4                                     22      Ni(en).sub.3 WS.sub.4                                                                         4.3      12.9  33.3                                     23      Co(en).sub.3 WS.sub.4                                                                         2.4       7.1  33.9                                     ______________________________________                                          ##STR2##                                                                 

                  TABLE 8                                                          ______________________________________                                         HDN and HDS Activities of Catalysts                                                                                  HDN                                                                            Selec-                                   Example Commercial Catalyst                                                                           K.sub.HDN                                                                               K.sub.HDS                                                                            tivity*                                  ______________________________________                                         Control Cobalt molybdate on                                                                           0.6      10.7  5.1                                              γ-Al.sub.2 O.sub.3                                               Control Nickel molybdate on                                                                           1.3      9.9   12.7                                             γ-Al.sub.2 O.sub.3                                                       Catalyst Precursor                                                                            2.9      6.5   42.8                                             Zn.sub.0.7 Ni.sub.0.3 (en).sub.3 MoS.sub.4                             ______________________________________                                          ##STR3##                                                                 

EXAMPLE 25

This experiment demonstrates the effectiveness of the catalysts of this invention for hydrodenitrogenation and was similar to that of Examples 1-3 using the same reactor, start-up procedure, etc. except that the DBT/Decalin feed contained 0.835 cc of quinoline. Analysis of the feed gave the sulfur content as 8,529 ppm and a nitrogen content of 0.1%. The catalyst used was formed from Ni(en)₃ MoS₄ using the procedure in Examples 1-3. The temperature and pressure in the reactor were 350° C. and 450 psi of hydrogen at a hydrogen flow rate of about 100 STD cc/min.

After four hours a sample was removed from the reactor, analyzed and found to have 0.63% ppm of sulfur and 0.038% nitrogen. After a total of eight hours, the sulfur content was 3,088 ppm and the nitrogen content was 0.02%.

This experiment was repeated using a one gram sample of a commercial nickel molybdate on gamma alumina catalyst. After a first run of eight hours, the reactor was drained and filled with a fresh 100 cc sample of feed. Ater four more hours with the fresh feed a sample was removed and found to have sulfur and nitrogen contents of 6,382 ppm and 0.083%, respectively.

EXAMPLE 26

This experiment was a repeat of that of Example 25 and, in fact, used the same batch of catalyst formed from the Ni(en)₃ MoS₄ which had been left in the reactor. The feed analysis was 8,440 ppm of sulfur and 0.11% nitrogen. After sixteen hours in the reactor a sample was withdrawn and found to have a sulfur content of 339 ppm and a nitrogen content of less than 0.02%.

SUPPORTED CATALYST SPECIES EXAMPLE 28 Catalyst A: Ni(en)₃ MoS₄ /SiO₂

The following solutions were prepared: Solution I, 67.8 g of colloidal SiO₂ (34 wt.% SiO₂ in H₂ O) in 400 cc H₂ O; solution II, 24.9 g of NiCl₂.6H₂ O plus 34.6 g of ethylenediamine in 75 cc H₂ O, and solution III, 50 g of (NH₄)₂ MoS₄ in 100 cc/H₂ O-plus-50 cc ethylenediamine. Solution I was placed in a 2000 cc flask. With constant agitation, solution II was added to solution I dropwise via a separatory funnel. A purple gel formed. To the resulting gel was added solution III in the same manner as described above. An orange-red precipitate was formed, characteristic of Ni(en)₃ MoS₄. The precipitate was recovered by vacuum filtration through a Buchner funnel. The resulting cake, after drying under vacuum at 50° C. for 16-20 hours, was ground and granulated (20/40 mesh) by pelletizing with a 4% polyvinyl alcohol solution. Prior to the catalyst activity test, the catalyst precursor composite of silica gel and precursor salt was sulfided with a 10% H₂ S-in-H₂ mixture at 325° C. for three hours.

EXAMPLE 29 Catalyst B: Ni(en)₃ MoS₄ /Al₂ O₃

The same procedure as that described in Example 28 was used for this catalyst, except that 97.82 g of colloidal Al₂ O₃ (20 wt.% Al₂ O₃ in H₂ O) was used instead of colloidal silica.

EXAMPLE 30 Catalyst C: Ni(en)₃ MoS₄ /Fe₂ O₃

The same procedure as that described in Example 28 was used for this catalyst, except that in Solution I, 292.0 g of colloidal Fe₂ O₃ (10 wt.% Fe₂ O₃) in H₂ O was added to 600 cc H₂ O.

EXAMPLE 31 Catalyst D: Ni(en)₃ MoS₄ /Al₂ O₃

The same procedure as that used in Example 29 was used except that Solution I contained 79.6 g colloidal alumina. Solution II contained 24.7 g NiCl₂.6H₂ O, and Solution III contained 27.0 g (NH₄)₂ MoS₄.

EXAMPLE 32 Catalyst F: Ni(en)₃ WS₄ /Al₂ O₃

The following solutions were prepared: Solution I, 17.9 g colloidal alumina (20 wt.% Al₂ O₃ in H₂ O) in 350 ml H₂ O; solution II, 33.3 g NiCl₂.6H₂ O in 150 ml water, plus 50 ml ethyenediamine, and solution III: 48.7 g (NH₄)₂ WS₄ in 100 ml water, pus 50 ml ethylenediamine. Solution I was placed in a 200 ml flask. With constant agitation, solution II was added to solution I dropwise. A purple gel formed, which remained fluidized under constant stirring. Solution III was added dropwise to the gel, with stirring. A yellow precipitate formed, the characteristic color of Ni(en)₃ WS₄. The precipitate was recovered by vacuum filtration, and dried under vacuum at 50° C. for 16-20 hours. The dry powder was ground and granulated by pelletizing with 4% polyvinylalcohol binder.

The catalyst precursor composite was sulfided in the same manner as described in Example 28.

EXAMPLE 33 Catalyst G: Ni(en)₃ WS₄ /Al₂ O₃

The same procedure as that described in Example 32 was used, except that Solution I contained 33.7 g colloidal alumina, Solution II contained 31.4 g NiCl₂.6H₂ O, and Solution III contained 46.0 g (NH₄)₂ WS₄.

EXAMPLE 34 Catalyst H: Ni(en)₃ WS₄ /Al₂ O₃

The same procedure as that described in Example 33 was used except that Solution I contained 79.6 g colloidal alumina, Solution II contained 24.7 g NiCl₂.6H₂ O, and Solution III contained 36.2 g (NH₄)₂ WS₄.

EXAMPLE 35

Catalyst I: Ni(en)₃ WS₄ /Al₂ O₃

The same procedure as that described in Example 32 was used except that Solution I contained 120.9 g colloidal alumina, Solution II contained 18.8 g NiCl₂.6H₂ O, and Solution III contained 27.5 g (NH₄)₂ WS₄.

EXAMPLE 36 Catalyst J: Ni(en)₃ WS₄ /Al₂ O₃

The same procedure as that described in Example 35 was used, except that Solution III was added to Solution I to give a yellow gel, and then Solution II was added to the gel to give a yellow precipitate.

EXAMPLE 37 Catalyst L: Ni(en)₃ MoS₄ /Al₂ O₃

The following solutions were prepared: Solution I, 25.42 g of (NH₄)₆ Mo₇ O₂₄.2H₂ O dissolved in 200 cc H₂ O/100 cc NH₄ OH; solution II, 18.67 g of NiCl₂.6H₂ O dissolved in 50 g H₂ O, and solution III, 120 g of colloidal Al₂ O₃ (20 wt.% Al₂ O₃ in H₂ O). Solution III was added to Solution I to form a white liquid supension. 25.96 g of ethylenediamine was added to Solution II to form solution IV. H₂ S was bubbled through the white liquid suspension at about 60 cc/min and solution IV was slowly added at subroom temperature. An orange-red precipitate formed.

The precipitate was recovered by vacuum filtration and then purified with distilled water and ethanol. The thus-purified catalyst precursor composite was ground and granulated into 20/40 mesh. Prior to the activity test, the catalyst precursor composite was sulfided with a 10% H₂ S-in-H₂ mixture at 325° C. for three hours.

                                      TABLE 9                                      __________________________________________________________________________     Hydrotreating Results of Supported Ni Catalysts                                                                          HDN                                                                  1st Order                                                                           1.5 Order                                                                           Selectivity                          Example                                                                             Catalyst                                                                              Mo or W                                                                             Support                                                                             % HDN                                                                               % HDS                                                                               K.sub.HDN                                                                           K.sub.HDS                                                                           K.sub.HDN /K.sub.HDS ×                                                   10.sup.2                             __________________________________________________________________________     Control                                                                             CoMoAl.sub.2 O.sub.3 *                                                                Mo   Al.sub.2 O.sub.3                                                                    19.0 83.6 0.63 7.20  8.8                                 Control                                                                             NiMoAl.sub.2 O.sub.3 *                                                                Mo   Al.sub.2 O.sub.3                                                                    35.0 84.7 1.29 7.63 16.9                                 28   A      Mo   SiO.sub.2                                                                           74.0 82   4.04 6.65 60.8                                 29   B      Mo   Al.sub.2 O.sub.3                                                                    39.0 69.3 1.48 3.94 37.6                                 30   C      Mo   Fe.sub.2 O.sub.3                                                                    18.0 41.2 0.60 1.49 39.9                                 31   D      Mo   Al.sub.2 O.sub.3                                                                    38.6 70.7 1.46 4.15 35.3                                 32   F      W    Al.sub.2 O.sub.3                                                                    78.9 89.5 4.67 10.22                                                                               45.7                                 33   G      W    Al.sub.2 O.sub.3                                                                    71.4 85.1 3.78 7.79 48.2                                 34   H      W    Al.sub.2 O.sub.3                                                                    54.4 77.4 2.36 5.41 43.6                                 35   I      W    Al.sub.2 O.sub.3                                                                    40.1 71.4 1.54 4.26 36.1                                 36   J      W    Al.sub.2 O.sub.3                                                                    55.1 79.0 2.40 5.79 41.5                                 37   L      Mo   Al.sub.2 O.sub.3                                                                    37.0 70.6 1.39 4.14 33.5                                 __________________________________________________________________________      *Commercial cobalt molybdate and nickel molybdate catalysts used in            Examples 20-24.                                                           

What is claimed is:
 1. A hydrocracking process comprising contacting a hydrocarbon feed at a temperature of at least about 100° C. and in the presence of hydrogen, with a catalyst obtained by compositing a quantity of inorganic refractory oxide support material with one or more precursor salts and heating said composite at elevated temperature of at least about 150°, in the presence of sulfur or sulfur bearing compound and under oxygen-free conditions for a time sufficient to form said catalyst, wherein said precursor salt contains a tetrathiometallate anion of Mo, W or mixture thereof and a cation comprising one or more divalent promoter metals which are chelated by at least one neutral, nitrogen-containing polydentate ligand L, wherein said divalent promoter metal is selected from the group consisting of Ni, Co, Zn, Cu and mixture thereof, said contacting occurring for a time sufficient to hydrocrack at least a portion of said feed.
 2. The process of claim 1 wherein said precursor salt is of the general formula (ML) (Mo_(y) W_(1-y) S₄) wherein M comprises one or more promoter metals selected from the group consisting of divalent Ni, Zn, Cu, Co and mixture thereof, wherein y is any value ranging from 0 to 1 and wherein L is one or more neutral, nitrogen-containing ligands, at least one of which is a chelating polydentate ligand.
 3. The process of claim 2 wherein said precursor salt is formed in the presence of a slurry of particles of support material.
 4. The process of any of claims 1, 2 or 3 wherein ligand L is selected from the group consisting of alkyl amines, aryl amines, nitrogen heterocycles and mixtures thereof.
 5. The process of claim 4 wherein ligand L comprises an alkyl amine.
 6. The process of claim 5 wherein said catalyst is formed in the presence of excess sulfur.
 7. The process of claim 6 wherein said catalyst contains at least two promoter metals.
 8. The process of claim 1 wherein said catalyst contains at least two promoter metals.
 9. A process for hydrotreating a hydrocarbon feed which comprises contacting said feed at a temperature of at least about 150° C. and in the presence of hydrogen with a catalyst obtained by compositing a quantity of inorganic refractory oxide support material with one or more precursor salts and heating said composite at elevated temperature of at least about 150° C., in the presence of sulfur and under oxygen-free conditions for a time sufficient to form said catalyst, wherein said precursor salt contains a tetrathiometallate anion of Mo, W or mixture thereof and a cation comprising one or more divalent promoter metals which are chelated by at least one neutral, nitrogen-containing polydentate ligand L, wherein said divalent promoter metal is selected from the group consisting of Ni, Co, Zn, Cu and mixture thereof, said contacting occurring for a time sufficient to hydrotreat at least a portion of said feed.
 10. The process of claim 9 wherein said tetrathiometallate salt is of the general formula (ML) (Mo_(y) W_(1-y) S₄) wherein M comprises one or more promoter metals selected from the group consisting of divalent Ni, Zn, Cu, Co and mixture thereof, wherein y is any value ranging from 0 to 1 and wherein L is one or more neutral, nitrogen-containing ligands, at least one of which is a chelating polydentate ligand.
 11. The process of claim 9 wherein said precursor salt is formed in the presence of a slurry of particles of support material.
 12. The process of any of claims 9, 10 or 11 wherein said ligand L is selected from the group consisting of alkyl amines, aryl amines, nitrogen heterocycles and mixtures thereof.
 13. The process of claim 12 wherein ligand L comprises an alkyl amine.
 14. The process of claim 13 wherein said catalyst is formed in the presence of excess sulfur.
 15. The process of claim 13 wherein said catalyst contains at least two promoter metals.
 16. The process of claim 9 wherein said feed is a lube oil fraction.
 17. The process of claim 12 wherein said feed is a lube oil fraction.
 18. The process of claim 15 wherein said feed is a lube oil fraction.
 19. The process of claim 16 wherein said catalyst contains at least two promoter metals.
 20. A process for removing nitrogen from a nitrogen-containing hydrocarbon feed which comprises contacting said feed at a temperature of at least about 150° C. and in the presence of hydrogen with a catalyst obtained by compositing a quantity of inorganic refractory oxide support material with one or more precursor salts and heating said composite at elevated temperature of at least about 150° C., in the presence of excess sulfur in the form of one or more sulfur-bearing compounds and under oxygen-free conditions for a time sufficient to form said catalyst, wherein said precursor salt contains a tetrathiometallate anion of Mo, W or mixture thereof and a cation comprising one or more divalent promoter metals which are chelated by at least one neutral, nitrogen-containing polydentate ligand L, wherein said divalent promoter metal is selected from the group consisting of Ni, Co, Zn, Cu and mixture thereof, said contacting occurring for a time sufficient to remove at least a portion of nitrogen from said feed.
 21. The process of claim 20 wherein said tetrathiometallate salt is of the general formula (ML) (Mo_(y) W_(1-y) S₄) wherein M comprises one or more promoter metals selected from the group consisting of divalent Ni, Zn, Cu, Co and mixture thereof, wherein y is any value ranging from 0 to 1 and wherein L is one or more neutral, nitrogen-containing ligands, at least one of which is a chelating polydentate ligand.
 22. The process of claim 21 wherein said precursor salt is formed in the presence of a slurry or particles of support material.
 23. The process of either of claims 20, 21 or 22 wherein ligand L is selected from the group consisting of alkyl amines, aryl amines, nitrogen heterocycles and mixtures thereof.
 24. The process of claim 23 wherein M is selected from the group consisting of Co, Ni and mixtures thereof.
 25. The process of claim 24 wherein said ligand L has a denticity of six and is either three bidentate or two tridentate chelating ligands.
 26. The process of claim 4 wherein said ligand comprises an alkyl amine.
 27. The process of claim 26 wherein said feed is a lube oil fraction.
 28. The process of claim 20 wherein said feed is a lube oil fraction.
 29. The process of claim 23 wherein said feed is a lube oil fraction. 